Producer-director Steven Spielberg received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his extraordinary career encompassing 62 feature films, including "Jaws," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "E.T.," "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan" - just to name a few. He was supposed to receive the award last year, but as we all know, the ceremony was cancelled due to the writers strike.

Backstage, he was asked whether he still has the fire in his belly to make movies. "The fire has intensified," he replied. He also hinted that another Indiana Jones movie may be in the works. "George (Lucas) and I have had a couple of conversations about possible sequels."

Spielberg was less glib about his feelings toward alleged Ponzi scheme operator Bernard Madoff, with whom he had substantial investments. "I have a lot of feelings about it, but this isn't the place to address them," he said.

Kate Winslet picked up TWO trophies - a best actress nod for "Revolutionary Road" and a best supporting actress win for "The Reader." It's the first time anyone has won Globes in both categories in a single year. Winslet told journalists she didn't have an acceptance speech pre-written for her actress victory. "I thought Anne Hathaway was going to win, hands down!" she admitted.

She also talked about the experience of working with her hubby, director Sam Mendes, for the first time. "I hadn't had it, and I was envious of those who did. It absolutely brought us closer together."

Once upon a time, the last person you'd see backstage was Mickey Rourke. But he bounded up to the podium once he'd taken the actor prize for "The Wrestler" - a gritty movie about a has-been champ trying to make a comeback. It's analogous to his own story as an actor.

"I thought when I left the business, that I could back back into it in two or three years. It actually took 13. It was a long journey. I tried to beat the system, and it beat the sh*t out of me," he said candidly. "It was never about my ability (as an actor). It was about handling myself in society, which I always had a problem with."

Rourke says acting is a profession where you can get a second chance, and that the Bruce Springsteen song from the movie (which also won) would probably be his favorite tune 'til the day he dies.

The last folks to hit the Press Room was the cast and crew of "Slumdog Millionaire" - which surprised no one with its win for best motion picture (drama). Bollywood actress Freida Pinto, who turned heads as the drop-dead gorgeous female lead, was excited at having met Angelina Jolie recently. She said she wanted to go up to Jolie and tell her how much she admired her. Instead, Jolie beat her to the punch. Unfortunately, Pinto had just popped a pastry into her mouth, and could only mumble a few unintelligible words.

"Slumdog" director Danny Boyle - who also walked away with a trophy - defended the movie's happy ending. Even though Mumbai has seen its share of hardship, the city still has an optimistic spirit, he said. Now it's bolstered by the fact that "Slumdog Millionaire" is a leading contender to win the Oscar for best picture next month. And the envelope, please ...